GE unveils 12-MW offshore wind turbine

Haliade-X. Source: LM Wind Power (www.lmwindpower.com)

March 1 (Renewables Now) - General Electric Co (NYSE:GE) said today it will invest more than USD 400 million (EUR 329m) in the next three to five years in a 12-MW offshore wind turbine, the world's largest, that it aims to start shipping in 2021.

The company claims that with a gross capacity factor of 63%, the giant machine, dubbed Haliade-X, will produce 45% more energy than any other offshore turbine available today. Featuring 107-metre blades, designed and manufactured by LM Wind Power, a single 12-MW Haliade-X turbine will generate up to 67 GWh a year, enough to power up to 16,000 households.

"We want to lead in the technologies that are driving the global energy transition," said GE chairman and chief executive John Flannery. "Offshore wind is one of those technologies and we will bring the full resources of GE to make the Haliade-X program successful for our customers," Flannery added. Jereme Pecresse, head of GE Renewable Energy, noted that the offshore wind industry expects to install more than 90 GW over the next 12 years.

According to the announcement, the Haliade-X is currently being bid for projects that will ship in 2021. GE Renewable Energy is looking to supply its first nacelle for demonstration in 2019.